SENATOR BALL PASSES LEGISLATION THROUGH SENATE ON OUT OF NETWORK ISSUE

Albany, N.Y. – (6/20/12) – On January 27, 2012, and May 24, 2012 Senator Greg Ball (R, C – Patterson), along with Bedford Hills resident, Maureen Kenney and local physicians held a press conferences regarding to the Out-of-Network issue, specifically to push as for the passage of legislation to protect consumers from greedy insurance agencies.

Senator Ball’s legislation, S7745 would force insurance companies to do the following:

Fully disclose their methodology for reimbursing health care treatment by physicians not participating in the plan’s network;

Prohibit approval of a health maintenance plan that does not include coverage of out-of-plan medical services;

Disapprove issuance of a health insurance policy offering coverage for out of network care that will not provide significant coverage of the usual costs of receiving care out of the plan’s network;

“Since January, there has been a great deal of dialogue on this issue.” said Senator Ball. “We’ve seen different versions of a solution on this issue, and it is critical all parties come to an agreement before the end of the legislative session. You have multi-billion dollar insurance companies that are seeing record profits, you have a healthcare system that is broken, you have blue-collar families that are being held over the barrel by insurance companies that are raking in billion-dollar profits and doctors that are being forced out of this state in droves and it’s actually reaching a critical level, we cannot wait another year. It is time for the Assembly to pass this important bill and submit it to the Governor for his signature.”

The Out-of-Network issue was brought to Senator Ball by Kenney, who after purchasing a premium insurance plan, was stiffed with the bill in her families time of need.

In April of 2011, Kenney’s husband was treated in the ER at Northern Westchester Hospital, which is an “in network” hospital, for a heart condition. Although he was given the best of care at Northern Westchester Hospital, Kenney said their facility was not equipped to treat her husband’s life-threatening condition. Due to medical necessity, Kenney’s husband was transported by an ambulance to Westchester Medical Center (WMC). The transfer to WMC was arranged by the ER physician and the WMC cardiologist on duty via phone. Kenney said there was no mention in regard to concerns over insurance coverage, or that WMC was an “out of network” provider during the treatment or transfer. However, Kenney later received a $99,000 bill from WMC due to the fact that it is an “out of network” hospital.

“I think it’s happening to more people than we know who do not complain or try to fight it because the liability might be smaller and it is either paid by the policy holder, or they are too intimidated by the insurance companies,” says Kenney. “Our citizens should not be intimidated by insurance companies, who should be helping our citizens in times of need, not bleeding them for every dollar in a tough economy. I want to thank Senator Ball for working so diligently on this legislation.”

“Anyone could find themselves in the same situation Maureen Kenney is now facing,” Senator Ball said. “I am urging everyone to tell their local elected officials to help us pass this critical piece of legislation and give New Yorkers the quality, affordable healthcare they deserve.”

S7745 was passed by the Senate and has been delivered to the Assembly.

For more information or to speak with Senator Ball, please contact Krista Gobins:

(845) 531-9796.

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About Greg Ball

Assemblyman Greg Ball (R, C, I – Patterson) is the Senator for New York State's 40th district. A former Vice President of Exceed International Development Corporation, Ball holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the United States Air Force Academy, is currently completing his Masters Thesis of Liberal Studies in International Affairs at Georgetown University, and received an honorable discharge in 2005 at the rank of Captain after service as an active duty officer in the United States Air Force.
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